NBC's 'Whitney' getting new showrunner

Another NBC series is getting a new showrunner. This season has seen top writer-producers exit on Smash, Community, The Office and now … freshman comedy Whitney is making a big change.

Executive producer Betsy Thomas is stepping down from her post on the Whitney Cummings sitcom. Instead, Friends veteran Wil Calhoun will take the lead (who were you expecting, Dan Harmon?). Calhoun most recently worked on NBC’s Kath & Kim, CBS’ Gary Unmarried and Fox’s I Hate My Teenage Daughter. Meanwhile Thomas has already landed another gig: She’s moving over to serve as co-executive producer on NBC’s upcoming comedy Guys With Kids.

Whitney wasn’t exactly a ratings sensation on NBC this year and some were surprised when the show was renewed. But this fall Whitney will open a new comedy block for the network at 8 p.m. on Friday nights, leading into the return of Community.